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Working with Section 106 ACHP
Case Digest Fall
2004 Wyoming: Construction of a Cell Tower in Old Faithful Historic District, Yellowstone National ParkWyoming: Construction of a Cell Tower in Old Faithful Historic District, Yellowstone National Park

Agency: National Park
Service

More than 150
million Americans subscribe to a mobile phone service, which relies
on nearby antenna towers to transmit calls. The location of one
such tower adjacent to the Old Faithful Historic District in Wyomings
Yellowstone National Park, however, has preservationists concerned.

Because the
cell tower was not constructed to the specifications agreed upon
by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Officer and the National
Park Service, its existence intrudes upon the historic district.
The National Park Service is working to mitigate the towers
adverse effects on its surroundings.

Situated next to the Old Faithful Geyser in Wyomings Yellowstone
National Park, the Old Faithful Historic District is listed in the National
Register of Historic Places. The historic district is dominated by the
Old Faithful Inn, which was built in 1903 and 1904 and is one of the premier
rustic structures in the United States.

As part of the Section 106 review process, the Wyoming State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO) determined that the construction of a cell
phone tower would not adversely affect the historic district if the tower
adhered to a certain height, number of antenna, and color to blend in
with its surroundings.

The cell tower that was built, however, was inconsistent with the conditions
that had been agreed upon by the National Park Service (NPS) and the SHPO.
In May 2004, the ACHP advised NPS that the effect of the cell tower on
the Old Faithful Historic District diminished the integrity of its setting.

To address the issue, the ACHP has requested that NPS examine measures
to reduce the cell towers adverse effects on the historic district.
The ACHP has also asked NPS to consult with the ACHP and the SHPO on its
findings to demonstrate a good faith effort to groups such as the nonprofit
organization, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which
has shown concern over the cell towers location near the Old Faithful
Historic District.